Leen Bakker and Kwantum looking for new owner

Dutch retail chains Leen Bakker and Kwantum are being put on the market by their current owner, investment fund Gilde Equity Management.

Close cooperation

The news has not yet been officially confirmed, but according to newspaper De Telegraaf – citing various sources – Gilde Equity Management would have called in an investment bank to sell Leen Bakker and Kwantum. Both interior design chains have been owned by the investment fund since 2017 and have been working closely together since 2020 under one management headed by CEO Debbie Klein.

To consumers, Leen Bakker and Kwantum will continue to position themselves separately – the ranges are complementary – but behind the scenes they are looking for synergy. Both retailers are active in the Netherlands and Belgium and are increasingly focusing on e-commerce. During the corona pandemic, they saw their sales grow as consumers invested more in their homes.